Glasgow hallmark date letter “O”: which year?

The letter O on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1833–1834 (uppercase roman); 1859–1860 (uppercase gothic); 1885–1886 (uppercase sans-serif); 1911–1912 (uppercase cursive); 1937–1938 (lowercase roman); 1961–1962 (uppercase gothic).

Before 1975 the letter changes in July, so most letters span two calendar years. Compare the case and typeface with the table; the letter alone does not settle it.

Candidates for O at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1833–1834	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1859–1860	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1885–1886	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1911–1912	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1937–1938	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1961–1962	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle	The office closed on 31-3-1964.

Narrowing it down

Other marks and features on the piece can rule candidates out: see dating jewelry by construction features and the other UK hallmarks.

The letter O at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter O on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1833–1834 (uppercase roman); 1859–1860 (uppercase gothic); 1885–1886 (uppercase sans-serif); 1911–1912 (uppercase cursive); 1937–1938 (lowercase roman); 1961–1962 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

All sources are listed with the method on the sources page.